Topic: Gibson LP Goldtop vs. Epi JBLP

I thought I'd post my comparrison of the 2 guitars. When Gibson releases the new Studio JBLP, I will try hard to resist wink

Here is my review:

Okay, I've spent some intimate time with my Epi JBLP. 

1) I had to remove the pick guard and smooth out the rough edges and remove a few plastic hairs that were hanging on.

2) I had to remove and re-set my tone and volume controls.

3) I had a bit of a buzz on my A string so I raised the action just a tad.

4) I installed Dunlop strap locks. The ones they supplied don't work with all of my straps.

5) The neck was real dry so I cleaned the strings and oiled up the fretboard.

The fit/finish on this guitar is amazing. The tuners are top notch and they hold the tune as well as anything I own. My Gibson only trumps these because they are Grover Locking tuners.

I love the neck on this guitar! it's the Fat D neck and there is a lot of wood to get your hands around. Just feels right to me. My Gibson has tha Asymetrical neck.

I absolutely love the pickups in this guitar and it's easy to see why Joe likes this pickup combination. This guitar uses the BB2's an 3's in the neck and bridge position. My Gibson uses the BB Pro's with the Bridge being slightly over-wound.

I've tried several Epi LP's in the past and they didn't feel or sound like this one does. This is the only Epi LP with this neck and pickup combination and I'm sure that's the reason.

The Binding on the neck on my Gibson goes over the fret ends. The binding on my Epi do not. The neck joint on my Gibson is a bit better. There is nothing wrong with the Epi, It's just one of those things you notice when they are side by side.

The case seems okay on the Epi, but the hardware looks and feels cheap compared to the Gibson.

I am very very happy with my JBLP. It sounds amazing and I don't seem to have to play with the settings near as much as with my Gibson for a good balance. Rolling the volume back cleans it right up!They sound completely different from one another just plugging up with the same amp/peddal settings.
Here's the kicker, I paid over $2600 for my Gibson (Not complaining, I love that guitar!) and I paid $748 (After Tax) for the JBLP.

I will play this Epi more and I won't be as afraid to carry it with me (I doubt I travel too much with it because if it gets damaged, I can't replace it!)

I am really impressed with the Epi JBLP and I'm glad I jumped on it!

Chuck Fleming
Bloomington, Indiana

Guitars: Gibson Custom Shop Joe Bonamassa Es-335, Gibson JBLP Studio Gold Top, Epiphone JBLP Gold Top, Gibson Les Paul "Standard" Gold Top, 2 Gibson ES 339's,Carvin (Self Built), Gibson SG Standard, Fender Strat, Fender Tele, Ibanez (Something or other), Yamaha Acoustic.

Re: Gibson LP Goldtop vs. Epi JBLP

couldn't agree more.  i'm done buying les pauls after this one.  left wanting nothing . . .

3 (edited by RICjunkie 2011-02-13 11:58:30)

Re: Gibson LP Goldtop vs. Epi JBLP

+1

I had the Custom Shop Gold Top out and played it some on Friday while I was waiting for the Epi to warm up. The Epi is just amazing considering it cost about 20% of what the Gibson went for. I may have to go over it again and again to find something to gripe about but the fact is it just sounds amazing! The fit, finish and setup were fine with mine (no warped or broken neck). Well, only two gripes - there was a very small nick in the pseudoleather on the case which I repaired with a drop of superglue, and the "volume" insert for the knob was laying in the bottom of the case. Both the Epi inner and AMS outer boxes were beat to crap (thanks UPS!) but the axe survived.

Thanks Joe! You and Epiphone really came up with a winner!  smile

Bring on the LP studio!

Major Tom to ground control...